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Squad-based DS hostage rescue comes in the form of Elite Forces: Unit 77

Spanish developer Abylight steps up to dual screen action

Squad-based DS hostage rescue comes in the form of Elite Forces: Unit 77
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DS
| Elite Forces: Unit 77

Hardly a household name when it comes to handheld development, Barcelona studio Abylight does have some previous form thanks to its work for EA on the Dakar Rally mobile games (2007 and 2008 so far). Now it seems to be taking a step up and heading into the potentially quicksand-infested desert of original DS games.

Elite Forces: Unit 77 clearly doesn't take itself too seriously though - at least we'd hope not with that sort of generic name - but we're expecting it should be worth further investigation as like Eidos' Operation Vietnam, it's one of the few squad-based action shooter on Nintendo's handheld.

But we don't know too much about it, other than the fact it will see you controlling four members of the elite force squad, which in the best traditions of squad-based games include a quiet sniper, fearless demolition expert, highly-strung hacker and heavy weapons gunner. Strategy will be all important when it comes to completing your missions, rescuing hostages in locations ranging from tropic jungles to abandoned Arctic ports and sweltering deserts.

As for the team's moniker, apparently that's due to its technique of letting command know it's completed a mission while maintaining radio silence because it stands in a location where the GPS numbers end in 77; something we assume will filter through to the gameplay.

Elite Forces: Unit 77 is due for release sometime before the end of 2008.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.